Actual ranges may, in many cases, be more expansive than noted. There are some species indicated that may now be extirpated.
Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a file with pictures and/or information.
David Albaugh writes, "You can certainly mark Jamestown as having cecropia, polyphemus, luna, promethea and io moths. Jamestown is the elongated island between "Washington" and "Newport", kinda rounded at the top and pointy at the bottom.
"Kent County is loaded with cecropia, luna, polyphemus and io - they all come readily to the halogen lamps in an industrial park there."
Member Ryan St. Laurent writes, "I live in Washington County, RI, and have seen the following here: A. luna, H. cecropia, A. io, D. rubicunda, A. polyphemus, C. promethea (common)."
He indicates the last record for C. regalis was in 1939, and there are historical records for Citheronia sepulcralis. I do not think either of the Citheronia species are currently present in Rhode Island.
In September 2009 Ryan reports finding a luna larva on Myrica pensylvanica. He writes, "Today (September 10, 2009) was the best day I ever had looking for sphingid/saturniid larvae. (everything found was from Washington County, RI). I found the following today: 1 polyphemus larvae on gray birch, dozen + promethea larvae and cocoons all on black cherries, 2 luna larvae (one dead one alive), A dead Hyles sp. (I'm thinking H. lineata) I attached a picture of the dead larvae for a confirmation ID. I also found two Darapsa choerilus on viburnum. I also attached a picture of one of the choerilus if you want to add to the species page.
"The most interesting find today was the living luna larva. I found it on a Myrica sp. (most likely M. pensylvanica- Northern Bayberry), I am certain that the plant was of the genus however. My first idea was that it must have wandered onto the foodplant, but it was feeding and there was A LOT of leaves missing from the plant on both sides. Frass was found on both sides of the bush as well, so I believe that there was more than one larvae on this particular plant at one time. I checked many sources and as far as I can tell, Myrica hasn't been recorded as a host plant. You could add that to WLSS because it isn't listed there. I was very surprised. If you need more proof such as a photo of the leaf or the actual larvae (it isn't a polyphemus for sure) let me know because I brought it home and I'm rearing it."
Ryan St. Laurent has found an Antheraea polyphemus larva in Chepachet, RI (Providence County), so I have added the polyphemus symbol to that county. Ryan described the larva as a small final instar, and it was spotted on October 20, 2009, suggesting at least a partial second brood in that area.
Ryan recently, December 2011, advised me that David Wagner reported Hemileuca lucina taken in 1984 in Kent County.
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